Members rally to save Glen Cannon Country Club

The 15th hole at Glen Cannon Country Club remains closed while it is undergoing repairs.

JOHN DOMANSKY/ SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-NEWS

By JOHN DOMANSKYTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 10:35 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 10:35 a.m.

When the fourth-largest golf course management company in the United States came to tiny Pisgah Forest with promises of a “solid membership plan to elevate participation and attract new members” for the semi-private Glen Cannon Country Club, optimism reigned with the Board of Directors and its membership.

Thanks to the tough economic conditions in Western North Carolina, the Glen Cannon board formed a committee in 2011 to explore options to reverse its downward trend of memberships and its slumping cash flow. In November 2011, the Board voted unanimously to contract with Billy Casper Golf.

A BCG news release at the time stated that “BCG will oversee all aspects of Glen Cannon's member programs, operations, golf course and property maintenance, sales, marketing and public relations, staffing and training, merchandising, restaurant and banquet activities, financial management and special events.”

Don Dickson, president of the Glen Cannon board, conveyed his optimism with the agreement by saying that “the company's success enhancing performance of similar properties resonated with our team.”

What the Glen Cannon membership actually experienced under BCG's management has put the club in a dire financial position.

Vendors are owed tens of thousands of dollars in past-due bills, significant operating losses, a loss of 66 golf and social memberships and a severely damaged golf course.

“It is unfortunate that we are left with so little money that we can't hire an attorney to handle remuneration of damages. The answer to our problem is getting more cash in the form of new members and/or more play by outside golfers,” said Glen Cannon member Jerry Clouse.

“What BCG promised sounded really good. Boasting of success with other clubs nationwide, they said they would bring in a professional management team to oversee and improve everything: the pro shop, the restaurant, the pool and certainly the course. They specifically claimed they would increase membership, increase outside play, publicize the club,” said club member Joe Nassar.

“We are bound by a confidentiality requirement, and unfortunately, need to refrain from such dialog at this time,” said Billy Casper Golf Managing Director Rich Katz.

Glen Cannon member Dennis Felker said the course steadily went downhill when BCG took control.

“To say the least, GCCC members were enthusiastic about our future. In 2013, the direction of Glen Cannon did not improve under the management of BCG. They got worse. Our greens were dying; crabgrass was everywhere and even spreading into the greens,” said Felker.

Nassar said one of the biggest problems was upkeep of the course.

“This past winter, herbicide was not applied to the fairways while the Bermuda was dormant. Consequently, intrusive grasses flourished, so did clover and other broadleafs, especially on the tees. Before BCG, their weeds had been killed off before spring," said Nassar. "Also, there were times when phones were cut off, supply orders were refused, trash was not collected, facilities were not cleaned, equipment repairs could not be completed, etc. All because accounts were in arrears."

Another thing that suffered was membership, according to Glen Cannon member Carol Bryant.

“BCG spoke to our membership and promised many things. The numbers they presented as to how much they could increase membership were questioned, but they had supposedly done studies on demographics, etc.," she said.

"Ultimately, we lost many long-time and dedicated members. Since taking over the management in early 2012, our club has deteriorated immensely. The management staff they brought in was total unqualified to improve Glen Cannon. The general manager had never managed a golf club before. Unfortunately, the least competent member of their team was the head groundskeeper."

Clouse said he still can't believe how much the club changed under BCG.

“My wife and I were in (a) meeting listening to the BCG representatives fill our hearts and minds with detailed plans for the overall recovery of Glen Cannon, all based on their extensive experience. When we left the room, I found myself feeling extremely positive somehow BCG would turn things around,” said Clouse.

In July 2013, the board ended its management relationship with BCG. Now the club members are hoping to bring Glen Cannon back to life.

“The board and the members' primary goal is to keep the club viable, first through the remainder of 2013, and then with a renaissance in 2014. At ground level, work has already begun on the course under our (former) faithful and highly accomplished groundskeeper, Marvin Holland. Given time and reasonable resources, he'll revive the course,” said Nassar.

Felker agreed.

“Now, with our former greens personnel under Glen Cannon direction, our golf course is on the road to recovery. With the improving course conditions, the next challenge is regaining our reputation among all of our golfers. The return of these golfers to Glen Cannon will be the key to our ability to our viability,” said Felker.

Glen Cannon had sustained itself as an independent club since 1966 with many hours of back-breaking work and dedication by its board members.

“They were joined by many member volunteers, men and women who ran fairway and rough mowers, did beautification plantings on all the tees, painted and repaired buildings, prepped the pool and tennis courts each spring, and on and on,” said Nassar.

According to the “National Rounds Played Report,” the annual number of golf rounds played in 2013 are down 5.6 percent as compared to 2012, with past decade trends showing declining rounds nationally.

“Dozens of clubs facing cash shortages or foreclosure have closed. Others, trying to avoid major cutbacks, have reduced fees and modified admission requirements. Clubs that have survived the recession have undertaken sweeping makeovers, often pitting long-held traditions against the need to attract the next generation of members,” said New York-based writer Kathleen Kingsbury.

All of the odds and trends appear to be against the board and membership of Glen Cannon, but the members are ready to put in the hours of hard work. They have already started repairing a lot of the damage and have two temporary greens to replace the unplayable ones. The 15th hole still remains closed.

“After many happy years at Glen Cannon, we can only hope and pray that the dedicated membership can bring the club and course back to life. It is a beautiful facility and an asset to the community,” said Bryant.

<p>When the fourth-largest golf course management company in the United States came to tiny Pisgah Forest with promises of a “solid membership plan to elevate participation and attract new members” for the semi-private Glen Cannon Country Club, optimism reigned with the Board of Directors and its membership.</p><p>Thanks to the tough economic conditions in Western North Carolina, the Glen Cannon board formed a committee in 2011 to explore options to reverse its downward trend of memberships and its slumping cash flow. In November 2011, the Board voted unanimously to contract with Billy Casper Golf. </p><p>A BCG news release at the time stated that “BCG will oversee all aspects of Glen Cannon's member programs, operations, golf course and property maintenance, sales, marketing and public relations, staffing and training, merchandising, restaurant and banquet activities, financial management and special events.”</p><p>Don Dickson, president of the Glen Cannon board, conveyed his optimism with the agreement by saying that “the company's success enhancing performance of similar properties resonated with our team.”</p><p>What the Glen Cannon membership actually experienced under BCG's management has put the club in a dire financial position.</p><p>Vendors are owed tens of thousands of dollars in past-due bills, significant operating losses, a loss of 66 golf and social memberships and a severely damaged golf course.</p><p>“It is unfortunate that we are left with so little money that we can't hire an attorney to handle remuneration of damages. The answer to our problem is getting more cash in the form of new members and/or more play by outside golfers,” said Glen Cannon member Jerry Clouse.</p><p>“What BCG promised sounded really good. Boasting of success with other clubs nationwide, they said they would bring in a professional management team to oversee and improve everything: the pro shop, the restaurant, the pool and certainly the course. They specifically claimed they would increase membership, increase outside play, publicize the club,” said club member Joe Nassar.</p><p>“We are bound by a confidentiality requirement, and unfortunately, need to refrain from such dialog at this time,” said Billy Casper Golf Managing Director Rich Katz.</p><p>Glen Cannon member Dennis Felker said the course steadily went downhill when BCG took control.</p><p>“To say the least, GCCC members were enthusiastic about our future. In 2013, the direction of Glen Cannon did not improve under the management of BCG. They got worse. Our greens were dying; crabgrass was everywhere and even spreading into the greens,” said Felker.</p><p>Nassar said one of the biggest problems was upkeep of the course.</p><p>“This past winter, herbicide was not applied to the fairways while the Bermuda was dormant. Consequently, intrusive grasses flourished, so did clover and other broadleafs, especially on the tees. Before BCG, their weeds had been killed off before spring," said Nassar. "Also, there were times when phones were cut off, supply orders were refused, trash was not collected, facilities were not cleaned, equipment repairs could not be completed, etc. All because accounts were in arrears."</p><p>Another thing that suffered was membership, according to Glen Cannon member Carol Bryant.</p><p>“BCG spoke to our membership and promised many things. The numbers they presented as to how much they could increase membership were questioned, but they had supposedly done studies on demographics, etc.," she said.</p><p>"Ultimately, we lost many long-time and dedicated members. Since taking over the management in early 2012, our club has deteriorated immensely. The management staff they brought in was total unqualified to improve Glen Cannon. The general manager had never managed a golf club before. Unfortunately, the least competent member of their team was the head groundskeeper."</p><p>Clouse said he still can't believe how much the club changed under BCG.</p><p>“My wife and I were in (a) meeting listening to the BCG representatives fill our hearts and minds with detailed plans for the overall recovery of Glen Cannon, all based on their extensive experience. When we left the room, I found myself feeling extremely positive somehow BCG would turn things around,” said Clouse.</p><p>In July 2013, the board ended its management relationship with BCG. Now the club members are hoping to bring Glen Cannon back to life.</p><p>“The board and the members' primary goal is to keep the club viable, first through the remainder of 2013, and then with a renaissance in 2014. At ground level, work has already begun on the course under our (former) faithful and highly accomplished groundskeeper, Marvin Holland. Given time and reasonable resources, he'll revive the course,” said Nassar.</p><p>Felker agreed.</p><p> “Now, with our former greens personnel under Glen Cannon direction, our golf course is on the road to recovery. With the improving course conditions, the next challenge is regaining our reputation among all of our golfers. The return of these golfers to Glen Cannon will be the key to our ability to our viability,” said Felker.</p><p>Glen Cannon had sustained itself as an independent club since 1966 with many hours of back-breaking work and dedication by its board members.</p><p>“They were joined by many member volunteers, men and women who ran fairway and rough mowers, did beautification plantings on all the tees, painted and repaired buildings, prepped the pool and tennis courts each spring, and on and on,” said Nassar.</p><p>According to the “National Rounds Played Report,” the annual number of golf rounds played in 2013 are down 5.6 percent as compared to 2012, with past decade trends showing declining rounds nationally.</p><p>“Dozens of clubs facing cash shortages or foreclosure have closed. Others, trying to avoid major cutbacks, have reduced fees and modified admission requirements. Clubs that have survived the recession have undertaken sweeping makeovers, often pitting long-held traditions against the need to attract the next generation of members,” said New York-based writer Kathleen Kingsbury.</p><p>All of the odds and trends appear to be against the board and membership of Glen Cannon, but the members are ready to put in the hours of hard work. They have already started repairing a lot of the damage and have two temporary greens to replace the unplayable ones. The 15th hole still remains closed.</p><p>“After many happy years at Glen Cannon, we can only hope and pray that the dedicated membership can bring the club and course back to life. It is a beautiful facility and an asset to the community,” said Bryant.</p>